8 Easy DIY Cat Toys to Entertain Your Feline Friend

Cats are notorious for being amused by the simplest of things—a crumpled piece of paper, a dangling string, or even an empty cardboard box. While there’s no shortage of “cat toys” available in stores, there’s a special joy in creating something yourself that your kitty will love. Here are eight easy DIY cat toys that are sure to keep your feline friend entertained for hours.

T-shirt Yarn Ball

Materials: Old t-shirts, scissors.

How-To: Cut your t-shirts into thin strips and stretch them slightly to create yarn-like strings. Ball them up tightly to create colorful yarn balls. Cats love batting these around due to their soft, squishy nature.

Feather Wand

Materials: Stick, feathers, string, glue.

How-To: Attach a string to the end of the stick. On the other end of the string, glue a few vibrant feathers. Swing the wand and watch your cat leap and dance around, trying to catch the fluttering feathers.

Cardboard Scratcher

Materials: Old cardboard boxes, glue.

How-To: Cut the cardboard into even strips. Stack and glue them together until you have a thick pad. Cats adore scratching, and this DIY pad will surely be a hit!

Catnip Socks

Materials: Old socks, catnip, needle, and thread.

How-To: Fill an old sock with a handful of catnip. Sew the opening shut. The scent of the catnip will drive your cat wild, making this one of the easiest and most loved “cat toys” you can create.

Bottle Spinner

Materials: Empty plastic bottle, a strong string, and some bells or beads.

How-To: Punch two holes on opposite sides of the bottle’s base. Thread a string through, adding bells or beads inside the bottle. Hang horizontally where your cat can bat at it. The spinning bottle and jingling sounds will captivate them.

Toilet Roll Treat Dispenser

Materials: Empty toilet paper rolls, cat treats.

How-To: Fold one end of the toilet paper roll inwards. Fill it with treats and then fold the other end. Your cat will have a ball trying to figure out how to get the treats out.

Laser Pointer Fun

Materials: A laser pointer.

How-To: While not entirely DIY, simply moving a laser pointer in erratic patterns on the floor or walls will provide endless entertainment. Just be sure never to shine it directly in your cat’s eyes.

Interactive "Dog Toys" for Cats

Materials: Any soft “dog toys” without small, swallowable parts.

How-To: Cats often play with “dog toys”, especially if they have a squeaky or interactive element. It’s a fun crossover toy that both pets can enjoy.

In Conclusion

Making “cat toys” at home is not only cost-effective but also allows you to repurpose materials, which is great for the environment. Plus, it’s a delightful way to bond with your feline friend. And remember, safety first! Always supervise playtime with DIY toys and ensure there aren’t any small parts that can be ingested. Whether your cat is batting at a DIY feather wand or investigating a squeaky “dog toy”, the joy is in seeing them engaged and happy.

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